Medical Imaging

Physicians utilize medical imaging to see inside the body to diagnose and treat patients. This includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, angiography,  and the nuclear imaging modalities of PET and SPECT. 

Thumbnail

New MRI contrast agent for 3D microvascular imaging beats out gadolinium-based materials

Researchers expect the Supramolecular Amorphous-like Iron Oxide agent to play a vital role in diagnosing stroke, heart attack, dementia, and other similar conditions.

Radiologists share keys to reading PET/CT tracer uptake in patients vaccinated against COVID-19

Increased radiotracer uptake in the lymph nodes may result in false-positive findings, according to a letter to the editor published in Radiology.

lung cancer

USPSTF updates lung cancer screening guidance, with millions more now qualified for exams

About 14.5 million U.S. adults will be eligible for low-dose CT but some physicians say many vulnerable patients will still face barriers to screening.

NorthStar teaming up with cancer therapy leader to bolster global radioisotope supply

Each year nearly 30 million patients benefit from diagnostic imaging exams utilizing the Tc-99m medical radioisotope.

Thumbnail

CT a useful front-line imaging tool for urgent cases of unintended weight loss

Performing a chest, abdomen, or pelvis scan in these individuals led to a diagnosis in nearly half of all cases, experts reported in Emergency Radiology.

Thumbnail

‘Outdated’ CMS policies crippling patient access to live-saving molecular imaging, advocates warn

The coalition recently urged stakeholders to support the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2021, which would update “arcane” payment policies.

chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

New pulmonary embolism approach could substantially reduce imaging overuse

The pretest probability score produced false-negative rates below 1% and dropped imaging use by about 20%, according to a new JAMA Cardiology study. 

With $1B and advanced imaging, NIH seeks answers to COVID-19’s lingering effects

Up to 30% of the 28 million COVID-19 cases recorded in the U.S. could lead to long-term symptoms, according to a report published recently.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.